Japan 11 Days in Kanto, Kansai & Hokkaido (Mar-Jun) (code: DBP11E)

Upon arrival of Tokyo Narita International Airport, take free shuttle bus from the airport to hotel. A local staff will wait at Tokyo Narita International Airport (Terminal 1 & 2) from 10:30am to 21:30pm. He/she will assist you to find the shuttle bus.
Important Information:

1. Please let us know your flight details at least one week ahead of the arrival day.

2. Hotel check-in is available after 3PM.
3. Passengers arriving at other time can take free shuttle bus to the hotel on their own. The last free shuttle  bus departs at 22:30pm.  If you cannot catch it, please take taxi to hotel on your own. (Taxi fare, approx.AUD32 per way, is on your own account.) 

After breakfast, visit Meiji-jingu Shrine in tribute to modern Japan’s first emperor and empress, Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) and Empress Shoken. This significant Shinto shrine is quite popular among Japanese people as they believe praying in this shrine would be more likely to come true.  View from afar the world’s tallest free-standing tower - Tokyo Skytree. Proceed to Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo and definitely a must-visit for tourists to Tokyo. Enjoy barbecue lunch and visit Imperial Palace Outer Garden. Meander around  this scenic area  highlighted by the visit to Nijubashi Bridge, which is widely regarded as the emblem of Tokyo. Some time will be availble for you to take photo at Tokyo Tower (no admission) and also go shopping in the bustling Ginza area. 

Take a boat tour on Lake Ashinoko, a must-see of Hakone. On a clear sunny day, the lake is an perfect place to get impressive view of Mt.Fuji in a distance. Proceed to Oshino Hakkai for distinctive Japanese countryside view. Spend some leisure time at Fuji Bussharito Heiwa Park (Park of Peace).  Japanese people built parks across the country in the name of peace to express their determination to uphold peace after devastating World War II. Fuji Bussharito Heiwa Park stands out with a white stupa which is a gift from Indian government.
Check in a hot spring resort hotel. Why not take a hot spring bath to refresh yourself!

Travel in the morning to visit Nagoya Castle, the symple of Nagoya. It is regarded as one of the Three Great Castles in Japan, along with Osaka Castle and Kumamoto Castle. Go shopping at a jewelry store.
This afternoon you will be guided to Gion,  an entertainment district, particularly famous for geisha performance. With lovingly preserved scenes, Gion is also an ideal place for visitors tracing past times. Stroll along Hanami Lane at dusk, you might run into geishas passing by. Dinner is on your own. You are recommended to try a traditional dining at a townhouse on Hanami Lane.

Step back in time at  Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the oldest temple of Kyoto.  Standing on the its veranda,  you could have a commanding view of Kyoto city.  Do not skip Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka on the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. They are two narrow streets lined with shops of souvenirs and snacks.  

In Japan, a third of shrines worship Inari, a god in charge of farming and business. You will visit  Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head of all these roughly 9000 Inari shrines. The imposing Senbo Torri clearly tells the shrine’s popularity among worshippers praying for good harvest and prosperous business.
Proceed to Osaka after lunch and visit stop by Todaiji Temple , an UNESCO world cultural heritage site.  This is a also great chance to interact with free roaming deer in nearby Nara Park.
Go shopping at a duty-free shop  and aslo famous Shinsaibashi, the largest shopping district in Osaka.
Dinner on your own. Try to find what make your mouth water at Dotonbori Food Street , a paradise for Japanese food lovers. 

After breakfast, take hotel shuttle bus to Kansai International Airport.
Board the flight to Sapporo for the tour in Hokkaido. Upon arrival, guests would be picked up by a guide and proceed to check in hotel.  Free for the rest of the day!

Start your Hokkaido sightseeing with a visit to Farm Tomita, the largest one in Hokkaido, with a variety of over 150 kinds of flowers. Then proceed to Biei, a beautiful hilly town. Enjoy buffet lunch of delicious Furano food. The next will be your eyes that enjoy the most with the visit to Shikisai no Oka (Flower Farm). Rows of flowers orderly planted on a land of 7 hectares is itself a spectacular view, especially in flower seasons from spring to autumn.  Also you will visit stunning Blue Pond, a by-product of a cut-off dam built to stop volcanic lava.  
At the end of the day, the group will arrive at Sounkyo Gorge. Check in a local onsen hotel where you would also have buffet dinner.
Important Information:

During winter time, there would be some changes to the itinerary:
Farm Tomita will be replaced by Otokoyama Sake Brewery (or Ikeda Vineyard) from March to April.
Blue Pond will be replaced by Aeon Mall from March to April.

Take a morning tour of Sounkyo Valley, the centre of  Daisetsuzan National Park.  This meandering valley has more than plenty of high precipice, varied waterfalls, streams, flowers and colorful autumn leaves. Waterfall of Ginga, Waterfall of Meteor, Oobako Valley, Walkway of  Momijidani….to name just a few.
At Abashiri, which is most famous for its Ryuhyo drift ice, visit Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum. Experience a world of drift ice at minus 15 ℃ and get to meet “sea angle”.   Some free time at crystally clear Lake Kussharo-ko.   More stunning will be the visit to Lake Mashu, “the lake of devil”. As deep as 212 meters itself,  the lake’s center is actually a 240-meter volcano.   This crater lake is said to be the clearest one in the world.

Enjoy a hot spring bath and also buffet dinner in hotel.

This morning, take a cruise on Lake Akan, another crater lake and natural habitat of lovely marino.   See the gathering of hundreds of Japanese red-crowned cranes in Kushiro Marsh.

Proceed to Tokachi-gawa and check in a local onsen hotel. Have dinner of Hokkaido beef and in-season vegetables from local farm.
Important Information:

Akan Lake cruise will be replaced by ice-fishing, or performance of Ainu folk dance from March to April. 

Visit Noboribetsu Jigokudani,  a valley in quintessential volcanic landform.  Better known as Hell Valley, it spells an demonic atmosphere combining bleached rocks, steaming pools,  sulfuric odor, and barren landscape.  

Enjoy lunch of Japanese seafood hot-pot (or Japanese Bento) before moving to Bear Park.  Over 70 brown bears are now living in the park. Get as close as merely a layer of glass between you and adult bears (subject to availability).   

Take Usuzan ropeway ascending to get an over-look of Lake Toya and a close view of the crater of Mount Showa-shinzan.

Later on, proceed to Jozankei and check in onsen hotel.  Dinner of local cuisine is also included.

After breakfast, take coach to Otaru and walk along tranquil Otaru Canal.  The township of nostalgic buildings tells its glorious  past as one of Japan's chief trade, financial and business centers.  Visit Kitaichi Glass Otaru where hosts several glasswork studios where Artisans create beautiful handcrafted glass. Visitors can also DIY glass in the studios.
Around 11:30am, you will arrive at New Chitose Airport for your homebound flight.
(Please book flight with departure time after 13:30pm.)